No-go on measures to slow traffic in Cockfield street

MEASURES to slow traffic on a narrow village road will not be introduced, parish councillors were told.
Safety concerns were raised late last year about the speed of traffic along Coronation Terrace, in Cockfield.
The road, which has a row of terraced houses along one side with cars parked on the highway, leads to the village’s recreation area.
After hearing how some motorists treated the road like Brands Hatch, Cockfield Parish Council wrote to highways officials at County Hall asking if there was anything they could do.
However, members’ hopes were dashed.
At February’s meeting, clerk Phil Howard said a reply had been received from the county’s traffic assets manager in which he explained that the county council receives more requests for measures than it can fund.
As a result, councillors were told, the highways department had to concentrate on areas with the worst safety record.
Statistics showed that in the last four years, there had been no personal injury accidents along Coronation Terrace, which meant it compared favourably to other areas.
The traffic official also stated that given the nature of the road, it was unlikely that cars would be breaking the speed limit, although he conceded they maybe going at an inappropriate speed for that particular route.
As a result, councillors were told the county was “unable to accede to the request for traffic calming”.
Despite this knock-back, members are going to press ahead with putting up signs.
Cllr Neville Singleton said he had spoken to another official at County Hall, who said the parish was within its rights to put up a 5mph sign, warning of a blind T-junction, on the approach to the recreation area.
A similar sign visible as vehicles leave the recreation area is also to be erected.
Cllr Christine Watters asked whether the two football teams based at the recreation area – Durham Alliance side West Auckland Tuns FC on a Saturday and West Auckland Town FC U23s on a Sunday – had been made aware of the concerns raised by residents.
Chairwoman Cllr Brenda Singleton said officials from both clubs had promised to speak to players.
Despite this, Cllr Barrie Williams said: “It is only a matter of time before there is an accident.”